World Cup

Benjamin Leon Jr. is ready for his international adventure with Royal Delta. The 4-year-old daughter of Empire Maker is scheduled to run in the 17th edition of the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) March 31.

Gloria de Campeao, who won the world's richest race when he beat 13 rivals in this year's $10 million Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (UAE-I), has been retired from racing after suffering a tendon injury.

Well Armed, winner of the Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline (UAE-I) earlier this year, is recuperating following surgery at co-owner and co-breeder Bill Casner's farm in Flower Mound, Texas. A bone chip was removed from the 6-year-old Tiznow gelding's ankle during the procedure, Casner told Del Mar's publicity department.

One day before flying to Dubai in pursuit of the world's richest race, jockey Robby Albarado spoke of the newly-formed non-profit bearing his name that will help underprivileged individuals living in the Louisville, Ky. area.

Robby Albarado will have a definite target on his back when he rides Curlin in the $6-million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse March 29. But the Cajun jockey is confident in his mount's ability and the way the 2007 Horse of the Year is going to handle his 4-year-old campaign.

Rick Dutrow may be staying in the United States this weekend, but his runners in Dubai are not to be discounted. On March 29, Benny the Bull tackles the Golden Shaheen while Diamond Stripes aims for the Godolphin Mile.

Spring At Last had only one start under his belt after winning the Godolphin Mile (UAE-II) last March, and that was a Dec. 26 allowance race over the Santa Anita turf. But Doug O'Neill had no qualms about sending the Silver Deputy colt into the $500,000 Donn Handicap (gr. I), and the trainer's faith was rewarded when his 4-year-old runner returned with a solid victory at Gulfstream Park Feb. 2.

Curlin, the 2007 Horse of the Year in North America and officially the world's highest-rated horse still in training, heads a list of 169 horses nominated for the $6-million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) sponsored by Emirates Airline March 29.

By Victor Zast - Observers believe there are so many rich purses in America that traveling overseas is a needless risk. Still others blame the medication, quarantine rules, and a fear of the region by Americans for a reluctance to ship. Whatever the reason for some to stay put, people with a sense of adventure will travel.

Trainer Todd Pletcher has earned back-to-back Eclipse awards as leading trainer and has won tons of grade I races, but Saturday at Nad Al Sheba he will be gunning for his first win in the Dubai World Cup.

After sending seven starters to the Dubai World Cup program without a win, trainer Julio Canani is ready to visit the winner's circle. The Southern California-based trainer will be looking for his first win when he saddles Island Fashion in Saturday's $1-million Godolphin Mile (UAE-II).

Godolphin's Discreet Cat will represent the home team in Saturday's $2-million UAE Derby (UAE-II) at Nad al Sheba Racecourse, but a big effort is demanded if he is to make his way to the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Godolphin's Electrocutionist put up an impressive show for his first outing on the dirt and his new connections when landing the US$300,000 Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum (UAE-II), sponsored by Derrinstown Stud, at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse on Thursday evening over 2,000 meters.

The proposal from Dubai World Cup committee member Michael Osborne that the highlight of the meeting should be on turf racing and not a dirt race is unlikely to receive much support from his colleagues.

Michael Osborne, the man who helped organize the inaugural Dubai World Cup 10 years ago, has suggested that the Sheema Classic (UAE-I), a grass race on the card, should be made the highlight of the world's richest race meeting, instead of the World Cup (UAE-I) on dirt that has attracted American runners Roses In May, Congrats, Lundy's Liability, and Choctaw Nation at Nad Al Sheba racecourse Saturday.

On Saturday, the talking, the waiting, the worrying can stop. At 9.20 p. m. (local time; 12:20 p.m. EST) in the United Arab Emirates, the sun will have set at Nad Al Sheba racecourse, the floodlights will be on, and the stars will come out. A full $6 million worth of stars.

On Saturday, the talking, the waiting, the worrying can stop. At 9.20 p. m. in the United Arab Emirates, the sun will have set at Nad Al Sheba racecourse, the floodlights will be on, and the stars will come out. A full $6 million worth of stars.

While Cajun Beat has dominated the build up to Saturday's $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen at Nad Al Sheba (UAE-I), California trainer John Sadler issued a confident bulletin about his challenger Our New Recruit.

Even though he did little but gallop around the Nad al Sheba dirt track on Monday morning, Pleasantly Perfect put on a show for a throng including owner Gerald Ford and trainer Richard Mandella, as he prepared for his run in the $6,000,000 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), sponsored by Emirates Airline.

Fourteen of the United States' best older horses have departed on flights from Los Angeles and Florida for the world's richest racing meeting later this month, the Dubai Racing Club confirmed Saturday.

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford revealed that Grand Hombre is its most likely representative in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), the exciting climax of the Dubai International Racing Carnival at Nad Al Sheba on March 27.

Milwaukee Brew is set to defend his title for owner Frank Stronach and trainer Bobby Frankel in the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) on March 1, but with war drums in the Middle East beating loudly, Frankel could add Strub Stakes (gr. II) winner Medaglia d'Oro to the Big 'Cap mix.

The first round of nominations to the 2003 Dubai World Cup closed Nov. 13 with 810 runners representing 23 countries being nominated to the seven races. The 2003 World Cup will be held March 29 at Nad Al Sheba.

The four-race simulcast, which included the $6 million Dubai World Cup, from Dubai's Nad Al Sheba Racecourse on Saturday, March 23, handled over $2.7 million in North America, a 36.7% increase over a year ago.

In light of the recent terrorist attacks in the United States, and the resulting situation internationally, organizers of the Dubai World Cup program plan an intensive promotional campaign to ensure the 2002 Dubai World Cup is well-received by horsemen, the Gulf News reported.

The Dubai World Cup is not just the world's richest horse race, it can also be the most expensive racing event on the globe to attend. Though fans can take a low-budget approach, with free admission to certain areas, the more well-heeled patrons might reach deep into their pockets and go first class, paying as much as US$742 for a seat in one of the suites overlooking the finish line.

Aptitude, who is in Dubai preparing for Saturday's Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), worked 1,200 meters (six furlongs) Sunday. The son of A.P. Indy covered the distance in 1:10.4 while moving with stablemate Lido Palace.

The Emirates Racing Association is dismissing fears that the European outbreak of foot and mouth disease will affect the March 24 Dubai World Cup meeting. Officials in the United Arab Emirates ministry of agriculture are moving quickly to dispel fears of a possible outbreak of the disease in their country.